Electric pump



w. H. PAYNE 2,473,726

ELECTRIC PUMP y 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 'ils /s- June 21, 1949.

Filed Dec. 28, 1946 June 2l, 1949. w. H. PAYNE 2,473,726 l ELECTRIC PUMP Filed Dev. 2a, 194s s sums-sheet 2 'A Wma June 21, 1949.

w. H. PAYNE ELEcTnIc PUMP 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Dec. 2a, 194e Patented June 2.1, 1949 2,413,726 ELEc'ralc PUMP William Harvey Payne, Hinsdale, Ill., assignor to W. Harvey Payne & Co., Chicago, lll., a corporation of Illinois Application December 2s, '1946, serial No. 719,016

6 Claims.

This invention relates to reciprocatory pumps and more especially to electric solenoid-operated pumps; and it has to do also with an improved pump-control system .which is operative automatically to start and stop a pump in response Y to water-pressure variations and to regulate the speed of operation of the pump conformably with the rate at which water is being drawn.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide a solenoid-operated reciprocatory pump which cannot become water-clogged.

Another object is to provide means whereby a reciprocatory pump is operative to force air or other gas into the discharge chamber of the pump and thus into intimate admixture with the outgoing water within the pump discharge, chamber,y thereby charging the water with innumerable entrained air or gas bubbles which are effective as cushions for preventing or reducing water-hammer, and which is additionally effective to aerate or gasify the pumped water, irrespective of the advantage to be gained from rendering the same compressible.

Still another object is to provide a solenoidoperated reciprocatory pump wherein the piston or pistons are magnetically motivated in both directions of movement-no spring or springs being required for eiectuation ofl piston-return strokes.

An additional object is to provide an improved system and method whereby the rate of operation of a pump is varied automatically in such manner that the output of the pump is always consonant with the demand.

Another object 'is to provide a solenoid-operated pump of simple and durable construction which can be-manufactured economically and which can be inserted in a well casing of relatively small diameter. i

Further objects and advantages of my invention will become apparent as the detailed description progresses. l

The invention consists in the several novel features which are hereinafter set forth and more particularly dened by the appended claims.

In the drawings which accompany this specication:

Fig. 1 is a view illustrating the manner in which a pump according to this invention is installed in a well bore;

Fig. 2 is apdiagram of the electrical circuit and control system, including a mechanism which is operative vin response to water pressure for vregulating the operation of the pump;

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view ofv a pump (Ci. 10S-6) according to the preferred embodiment of the invention;

' Figs. '4 and 5 are transverse sectional views keg on lines 4 4 and 5 5, respectively, of

Fig.. 6 is a vertical sectional view of a pump according to a modified version of the invention; and

Figs. 7 and 8 are transverse sectional views taken on lines 1 1 and 8 8 of Fig. 6.

The pumpv unit depicted in Figs. 3-5 inclusive is identified as a whole by reference numeral yIl. In use it is suspended in a well bore atA the lower end of a string of pipe or tubing Il, as shown in Fig. l, through which Water is delivered to a horizontal pipe I2, which extends to one or more points of usage. t

Included in pipe I2 isapreSSure-actuated device I3V which is responsive to the water pressure within said pipe and operative to control the pump I0 in the manner hereinafter described.-

so that. the pump may be energized only when water is being drawn, and then only in proportion to the rate at which it is being drawn.

Referring to Figs. 3-5, my new pump comprises a tubular housing or shell I4 which is internally threaded at each end to receive a pair of correspondingly threaded plugs I5 and I 6. Plug I5 is internally threaded to engage the lower end of tubing string I I, and plug I6 is likewise internally threaded to receive an intake pipe I1, to the lower end of which is connected a screen Il through which water is drawn into the pump.

Two solenoid coils I9 and 20 are mounted within the bore of housing |4 on a core member 2| of paramagnetic material such as iron.

Mounted within housing I4 and above coil I9 is a member v22 of paramagnetic material which forms a part of the magnetic circuitvof coil I9.'

as does also housing I4 and the upper half of core member 2|. And also mounted within said housing I4 at the lower end of coil 20 is a member 23, likewise of paramagnetic material, which may be in all respects identical with member 22.

Said member 23 forms a part of the magnetic circuit of coil 20, as does the lower half of core member 2| and the lower half of housing I4.

Core member 2| is bored lengthwise, axially, to provide a running fit for a bronze tube 24 through which extends a piston rod 25, to either end of which are connected assemblages comprislng pistons 26 and 21 and solenoid plunger-armatures 28 and 29. Each of said pistons comprises a leather or rubber cup 30, which is held in clamping engagement with its associated 3 plunger-armature by means of a disc 3| which is threaded axially for attachment to piston rod 2l. Members 22 and 23 are' bored axially to provide a running fit for the respective assemblages comprising the pistons and plunger-armatures; and the two coils I8 and 2|| are wound on spools 32 and 33 having axial bores to accommodate and permit reciprocation therein of the two plunger-armatures 28 and 29. Bronze tube 24 is longer than clore member 2| by an amount equal to the stroke of the piston rod, and it serves as a spacer between the two plungerarmatures 23 and 29 and as abutment means for holding said plunger-armatures against their respective piston cups. The upper and lower ends of core member 2| are formed frustro-conically, as shown, and the two plunger-armatures are complementally bored to nest with the core member. By virtue of this provision the maximum magnetic gap between the core member and each plunger-armature is kept at a minimum value relatively to the length of the stroke.

Fitted within the bore of housing |4 and clamped between plug I5 and member 22 is a casting 34, between which and member 22 is an annular gasket 35. Casting 34 is cored to provide an intake chamber 34a and is threaded to receive a pipe elbow 36, which is connected through a vertical pipe 31, elbow 38 and' coupling 39 to the intake pipe Il. Incoming water is thus conducted to intake chamber 34a.

Mounted within the bores of members 22 and 23, respectively, are two intake valve assemblies, each comprising a valve 40, a valve seat member 4| and a coil spring 42 biasing the valve toward closed position. The two valve seat members 4| are apertured to permit entry of water therethrough into the respective piston chambers.

In operation, the two solenoid coils 9 and 20 are energized alternately. When coil i9 is energized it pulls its plunger-armature 28 downwardly into seating engagement with core member 2 I, as shown in Fig. 3; and when, on the other hand, coil 20 is energized, it pulls its plungerarmature 29 upwardly, in like manner. Thus, the two pistons 2B and 2`| and their associated plunger-armature 28 and 29, together with piston rod 25 and bronze tube 24 are reciprocated continuously as long as current is supplied to the pump.

Water is drawn into the two piston chambers alternately 'and is discharged therefrom through discharge ports 22a and 23a formed in members 22 and 23. A transverse section through ports 23a is shown in Fig. 5. Said discharge ports are normally closed by means of resilient rubber' rings 43 which girdle members 22 and 23 and are seated in annular grooves formed therein. The pressure of the water in the piston chambers, occurring as a result of the expulsion strokes of the pistons stretches rings 43, thereby opening the discharge ports and allowing the water to be expelled therethrough into the pump discharge chamber 44. Any confined space into which water or other liquid is discharged from the piston chamber or chambers of a pump is regarded, for the purposes of this invention, as a discharge chamber, whether or not it is a part of the pump per se.

Mounted within the upper intake chamber 34a is a iiexible air-lilled pneumatic annulus 45, which is yieldable to the pressure of the water in said chamber and functions as a cushion to prevent or restrict sudden pressure increments therein such as would tend to cause water hammer, The' pressure increments which said cushions are effective tocheck are d ue to sudden stoppages of incoming water, which occurs or tends to occur each time a piston commences a water-expulsion stroke. A similar pneumatic cushion 43 of annular form is mounted within the lower intake chamber 4l and serves the same purpose as the' upper one.

A gas or air-intake pipe 50 extends to the top of the well. or at any event to a point above the water level-see Fig. l-and is connected to a passageway 5| which opens into a vertical passageway 52 formed in core member 2|. Each end of the latter is provided with a spring-pressed ball check valve 53, which allows air to pass into the upper and lower air chambers 54 during each water-expulsion stroke of the associated piston and plunger-armature. Only the lower air chamber 54 is shown in Fig. 3, because the upper one is momentarily non-existent, due to the fact that the upper plunger-armature 2l is in its downmost position. The air drawn into chamber I4 is expelled therefrom during each reverse stroke of theassociated plunger-armature and passes through one or the other ball check valve I5 into a vertical passageway 53 which also is formed in core member 2|. Passageway 56 is connected by way of a horizontal passageway 5l with a tubular conduit 58 which is connected at its lower end to an annular manifold 59 which encircles member 23 adjacent the discharge ports 23a. Said manifold 59 has an annular series of small apertures 60 through which fine jets of air or gas are ejected into the surrounding water within discharge chamber 44. Thus, as the water emerges from the lower piston chamber through discharge ports 23a it is met by the incoming air or gas, which is entrained thereiny in the form of a multitude of small bubbles. Consequently, the body of water within discharge chamber 44, as well as that within tubing I, is compressible-due to the entrained air-and, as a result, water hammer, which otherwise would be likely to occur, is avoided; and, in addition, the water is thoroughly aerated. Any desirable gas, other than air or in addition to air, may be introduced, as, for example, chlorine gas or a mixture of chlorine gas and air. In event gas other than air is to be introduced, the pipe i0 would, of course, be connected to a suitable source.

The pump discharge chamber 44 is defined. in part, by a channel member 6| which is closed at its upper and lower ends and welded to the outside surface of housing I4.

The above-described pump cannot become water-logged because any water which may seep past either piston and plunger-armature into either chamber 54 is ejected therefrom with the air stream and is thus conveyed to the discharge chamber 44.

It will be observed that the pistons and plungerarmatures are actuated magnetically in both directions and that no restoring springs are employed or required for actuating the pistons in either direction, as is the case with certain solenoid pump constructions of the prior art. And it will further be seen that all parts of my new pump are simple and economical to construct and that the assembling thereof can be carried out with the utmost facility.

In Figs; 6-8 inclusive,.which show an alternative construction, I have used the same reference numerals to designate parts which are substantially identical with corresponding parts in Figs. 3-5 inclusive; but those parts wherein material changes have been made are identied by new e 5 reference numerals, as is also the case with re-I spect to added parts.

Here the paramagnetic core corresponding to core member 2| of Fig. 3 is composed of two complementary parts andv |0| in face-to-face contact. Each of said parts is recessed at |02 to form a manifold to which are connected several small passageways |03 (see especially Fig. 6) extending lengthwise through each core part and opening at their extremities into air-compression chambers |04 at either end of thecore. Only the 'upper one oi' these chambers is actually shown in Fig. 6 because the lower one happens to be fully closed.

4'The manifold at |02 is connected by way of a passageway |05 to the air or gas intake pipe 50.

A piston rod |06, corresponding in function to piston rod 25, is slidably journaled in the two core parts and carries a* each end an assemblage comprising a solenoid plunger-armature |01 and a piston consisting of a leather or rubber cup .30 and a disc 3| which is threaded to the piston rod for clamping the cup to' the plunger-armature. AEach of these assemblages constitutes a piston, in its entirety, while the part |01 functions additionally as a plunger-armature--which is equally true of the corresponding assemblages of Figs. 345.

Each of the air chambers |04 contains a disc |00 which is loosely mounted on the piston rod |06 so as to be movable lengthwise thereof, and each of said discs functions as a valve to close the passagewaysv |03 when the air or gas in their respective air chambers is under compression. and to admit air or gas, as the case may be, to

lsaid chambers during the air-intake strokes oi?v their respectively associated pistons. Suitable means, not shown, are provided for limiting the valve-opening movements of discs |08.

.Each of the plunger-armatures |01 is splined lengthwise at spaced points around its periphery, as indicated at |09 (see especially Fig. 7) to provide slot-like passagewaysJfor the discharge of air or gas from chamber |04.

The members |`|0 which correspond to mem'- bers 22 and 23 of Figs. 3-5 are provided with a number of air-discharge ports which connect at one end with slots |09 and at the other end -with the Vdischarge chamber 44 by way of annular grooves formed in said member ||0 in which are seated resilient rings ||2 which function as air-discharge valves.

It will be seen that in the pump structure of Figs. 6-8 air or gas is pumped into the discharge chamber 44 at both ends of the pump instead of at one end only; and it will further be seen that conduit 56 and manifold 59 of Figs. 3-5 have been eliminated. Also, the bronze tube 24 of the structure of Figs. 3-5 has been eliminated as a result of providing shoulders on piston rod |06 for loc'ating the two plunger-armatures thereon. The mode of operation of the pump of Figs. 6-8 is the same as that described with reference to Figs.' 3=5, except as above noted.

The means which I prefer to employ for controlling the operation of the above described pumps is illustrated diagrammatically in Fig. 2,

'wherein the two solenoid coils I9 and -20 are shown as having a common terminal 62 which is A.connected by way of a conductor 63 to an elongate.' arcuate xed contact 64, adapted to be en- .Eaged by a rotary switch blade 65. The other terrninals of coils I9 and 20 are connected respec- .tively to a pair of xed contacts'66 and 61 through .conductors 66 and 69. A contact arm 10, pivoted Cil vby an electric motor 15.

at 1| is connected to one side of a current supply line comprising conductors 12 and 13 and is provided witha cam follower which engages the contour of a cam 14 which is adapted to be driven Rotation of cam 14 causes contact arm 10 to oscillate about its pivotal center 1| and thus engage, alternately, the two xed contacts 66 and 61.

Switch` blade 65 is connected to line conductor 13 and is carried by an arm 16 which is pivoted at 11 and thus adapted to be moved in an arcuate path whereby to engage and disengage contact 64 and also the several fixed contacts 18-82- inclusive. The latter are interconnected serially by resistance elements 63-66 inclusive, and contact 62 is connected via conductor 81 to one terminal of motor 15. The other terminal of said motor is connected via conductor 68 to the line conduc- 65 engages xed contact 64 and one of the xed contacts 18-82, m'otor 15 will be energized and the cam 14, driven by said motor, will cause contact arm 10 to en-gage contacts 66 and 61, alternately, and thus complete the energizing circuits for solenoid coils I9 and 20, alternately. And when that condition obtains the pump will be set into operation at a rate proportional to the speed of motor 15. The speed of said motor varies in conformity with the applied voltage, which is to say, in accordance Vwith the amount of series resistance connected in circuit. Manifestly, when switch blade 65 engages contact 18 the maximum resistance is included in series with motor 15 and the motor will run at a minimum speed. But as resistance is cut out by moving contact arm 65 successively into engagement with contacts 19-82 the speed of the motor will increase, until the maximum speed is achieved with contact arm 65 in engagement with contact 82. It will be understood that the motor control circuit will be'A determined by the type of motor employed. The arrangement shown is suitable for use with a loaded series wound motor and would have to be modied if some other kind of variable speed motor were adopted. But since the proper circuit connections for each type of variable speed motor is well known to those skilled in the art itis unnecessary to do more than show one'simple example for the purposes of this application. s

'Arm' 16 is connected to the piston rod 90 of the pressugre-operated device i3 comprising a piston 9| which is slidable in a cylinder 92 con-v nected at one end to the pipe |2. Said cylinder is closed at the other end by a cap 93 which forms one abutment for a coil spring 94 operating against the back of piston 9|. pipe |2 acts on piston 9| against the resistance of spring 94 and thus tends to hold arm 15 and switch blade 65 in the non-contacting position in which those elements are shown. But whenever the pressure in pipe l2 drops below a certain predetermined value switch blade 65 will-engage drawn, switch blade 65 will move in the opposite direction and either return to the non-contacting The pressure in position or to some intermediate contact point where it will keep the pump in operation at a speed commensurate with the demand for water.

While I have shown and described only two embodiments o! my invention, it will be apparent that there are many possible modiilcations within the scope and purview thereof and I do not wish to be limited exceptV as indicated by the terms of the appended claims.

What I claim as new and wish to secure by Letters Patent is: v

1. The combination in an electric pump, of two solenoid coils in axial alignment, each of said coils having a magnetic circuit individual thereto, including a core member which is common to both said coils, a piston rod extending axially through said core member and coils and reciprocatable lengthwise, two plunger-armatures individual to said coils and attached to opposite ends of said piston rod, said'plunger-armatures being adapted to function as pistons, a cylinder for each of said plunger-armatures, each of said cylinders having a liquid chamber at one side of its plunger-armature and a gas chamber at the other side of its plunger-armature, means deilning a discharge chamber, inlet and outlet valves for each of said liquid and gas chambers, said outlet valves providing communication between said discharge chamber and said liquid and gas chambers, 'the inlet valves to said liquid chambers being adapted to be connected to a source of liquid, the inlet valves to said gas chambers being adapted to be connected to a source of gas, the arrangement being such that both liquid and g'as are pumped into said discharge chamber to effect therein a compressible mass of liquid and entrained gas.

2. The combination in an electric pump, of two solenoid coils in axial alignment, each of said coils having a magnetic circuit indvdual thereto including a core member which is common to both said coils, a piston rod extending axially through said core member and coils and reciprocatable lengthwise, a pair of assemblages attached individually to opposite ends of said rod and each comprising a plunger-armature and a piston, said plunger'armatures being individual to said coils and magnetically actuable thereby in opposite direction so that said piston rod is reciprocatable -by the conjoint action of said coils, means for energizing said coils alternately whereby to reciprocatesaid piston rod and assemblages, a pair of cylinders, said assemblages being reciprocatable in said cylinders individually, one end of each cylinder being closed by said core member, each of said cylinders having a liquid chamber at one side of the reciprocatable assemblage therein and a gas chamber at the other side of said assemblage, inlet and outlet conduits extending through said core member for conducting gas into and out of said gas chambers, inlet and outlet valves for said gas chambers, means defining a discharge chamber in communication with said gas chambers through said outlet valves and outlet conduits, inlet valves ior admitting liquid to said liquid chambers, outlet valves for discharg ing liquid from said liquid chambers into said -discharge chamber, and an annular manifold located in said discharge chamber and encircling one of said cylinders, said manifold being connected through said outlet conduits to said gas chambers, said manifold being perforated to discharge iets of gas into the mass ofliquid in said discharge chamber.

3. The combination in an electric pump, oi' two solenoid coils in axial alignment, two co-axial paramagnetic core members for said coils each having a portion extending axially into its asso-l ciated coil and each having a flange portion extending radially to the axis vof said coils. said flange-portions being in face-to-face contact, at least one of said core members being recessed to form, with the other core member, a manifold cavity, an intake conduit for admitting air or gas to said manifold cavity, each of said core members having one or more passageways extending axially therethrough and connected at one end to said manifold cavity, a piston rod extending axially through said core members and carrying at each end a piston including a plungerarmature, structure dening a pair of cylinders, one for each of said pistons, each of said cylinders having an air or gas chamber at the side of its piston adjacent the associated core member and a liquid chamber at the other side of its piston, said air or gas chambers being connected by said passageways with said manifold cavity, intake check valve means in each of said air or gas chambers for controlling the admission of air or gas thereto, means defining a discharge chamber, means dening air or gas discharge ports extending from the interiors of said cylinders into said discharge chambereachof Vsaid plunger-armatures being splined lengthwise peripherally to provide passageways between said air or gas chambers and said air or gas discharge ports, checkvalve-controlled inlet ports for said liquid chambers, check-valve-controlled outlet ports leading from said liquid chambers into said discharge chamber, check-valve-means for said air or gas discharge ports operative' to permit air or gas to flow in one direction only therethrough, means defining liquid intake chambers for said pump outside said cylinders, and a pair of annular pneumatic cushions each disposed in one of said liquid intake chambers.

4. The combination in an electric pump, of two solenoid coils in axial alignment, a paramagnetic core for said coils, structure including said core defining magnetic circuits for said coils individually, a piston rod extending axially through said core and reciprocatable lengthwise therein, structure dening a pair of cylinders, one at each end of said core, a pair of pistons, each slidably mounted in one of said cylinders individually and attached to opposite ends of said piston rod, structure defining a discharge chamber, said cylinders each having a gas chamber at the side of its piston adjacent said core, gas Aintake conduits extending lengthwise through said core and connecting with said gaschambers, said pistons each including a plunger-armaturcwhich is actuable by one of said coils individually to move said piston rod lengthwise whereby conjointly to reciprocate said piston rod, check valve means for controlling admission of gas to said gas chambers, discharge ports leading from said gas chambers into said discharge chamber, check valves for said discharge ports, each of said cylinders having a liquid chamber at theside of its Piston opposite the gas chamber therein, inlet ports for said liquid chambers, discharge ports leading from said liquid chambers into said discharge chamber, and check valves for said inlet and discharge ports.

5. A pumping system comprising a reciprocatory electric pump including an inlet and ar. outlet having two act'uating coils, a delivery pipe connected to the outlet of said pump for transmitting liquid under pressure from said pump, an electric motor, a source of current, circuits individual to said coils for connecting said coils motor for opening and closing said circuits periodically and alternately, a motor circuit for connecting said motor to said source, a switch for opening and closing said motor circuit, speed control means for said motor, and a 'pressureoperated device connected to said pipe and responsive proportionately to the pressure in said pipe, said device being operative in response to a pressure reduction in said pipe to close said switch and to actuate said speed control means i supply conductors, a third fixed contact engagel to said source of current, means operative by said y whereby to start said motor and to regulate the speed thereof to the end that said pump is caused to operate at a rate which is inversely proportional to the pressure in said pipe, said device being further operative in response to a pressure increase to actuate said speed control means to eii'ect a reduction of the speed of said motor and to open said switch when' the pressure in said pipe reaches a predetermined cut-oi value.

6. A pumping system comprising a reciprocatory electric pump including an inlet and an outlet having two actuating coils, a delivery pipe connected to the outlet of said pump for transmitting liquid under pressure from said pump,A I

a pair of current supply conductors connected to a source of current, an electric motor, a circuit for each of said coils, each said circuit including a xed contact, a movable contact member connected to one of said supply conductors, cam means operated by said motor for moving said contact member into engagement with said xed contacts alternately and periodically at a rate proportional to the speed of said motor, a movable switch arm connected to the other of said able by said switch arm and connected in circuit with both said'coils, a circuit for said motor including said switch arm, a rheostat for controlling the speed of said motor, said rheostat having a plurality of contacts which are engageable by said switch arm consecutively, and a pressureoperated device `connected to said pipe and to said switch arm and operative to move said switch arm in response -to pressure variationswithin said pipe, the arrangement being such that the circuits for said coils are completed through said switch arm and third fixed contact, and the circuit for said motor is also completed by said switch arm when the pressure in said pipe is below a certain predetermined value, and vice versa, and, Afurther, that said motor is speeded up through the operation of said rheostat as the pressure in said pipe diminishes below said predetermined value, and vice versa.

-. WILLIAM HARVEY PAYNE.

i REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Great Britain --v...\ Sept. 20, 1923 

